genetic fingerprinting Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the name of the repetitive, non-coding sequences of nucleotides in the genome?
Variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs)
What can VNTRs be used to do?
Identify the owner of a DNA sample
What is used to amplify the DNA sample?
PCR
What happens to the amplified DNA?
Cut out into fragments using restriction enzymes
What do restriction enzymes cut around?
The VNTRs
What does cutting around VNTRs result in?
A large number of DNA fragments
How are these DNA fragments separated?
Gel electrophoresis
What are the strands treated with after separation?
Alkali to form single strands
Where are the single strands transferred?
Onto a nylon membrane
What is then added to the nylon membrane?
Radioactive DNA probes which are complimentary to the repeated sequences
How do the probes bind to the DNA?
DNA hybridisation
What do the probes allow researchers to identify?
The position of the fragments
What is the position of the fragment dependent on?
Number of nucleotides present
What does the number of nucleotides correspond with?
Number of repetitive sequences in each fragment
Why are two genetic fingerprints compared?
To see if they have the same bands of gel
What is genetic fingerprinting used in?
Forensic science, medical diagnosis, determining genetic relationships, animal and plant breeding
